Booking.com, one of the world's leading digital travel brands, recently shared travel insights on where locals are heading for Vietnam's upcoming National Holiday, which will run between September 1 and 4.

Tourist spots near Hanoi to reign supreme

A flower vendor on Hanoi street. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi

According to the accommodation booking platform, with the long Independence Day holiday just around the corner, Vietnamese travelers are itching to take to the roads and skies to make the most of the last long weekend of the year.

This is also a special time for family bonding, as it is perfectly timed just before children go back to school.

"Long weekends offer a wonderful opportunity to take a much-needed break from the daily grind and enjoy a quick getaway for rejuvenation," said Varun Grover, Country Head of Booking.com in Vietnam.

Besides, he also comments that there is a surge in demand with travelers exploring staycations (visiting a nearby location or right in the city where travelers live) and drivecations (using a caravan as a temporary pretend vacation accommodation) to nearby destinations.

According to tourism experts, the destinations on this year's Bookig.com list are mostly familiar to both local and international tourists.

The Travel Confidence Index 2023 shows that Vietnamese travelers enjoy beach destinations, with 61% choosing islands and beaches as their top destinations, followed by cities (60%). This is reflected in the top 10 most searched domestic destinations for the upcoming holiday, where six of the top 10 are beach destinations.

A corner of Hanoi after the rain. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi

Top 10 most-searched domestic destinations for Independence Day Holiday

Among the most booked destinations for the National Holiday, Danang topped the list with check-in dates from September 2 to 4, followed by Vung Tau and Nha Trang.

Two of Vietnam's major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, also made the list. The remaining destinations are Da Lat, Mui Ne Beach, Ha Long City, Phu Quoc Island, and the ancient town of Hoi An.

The survey is based on online data of guest searches from July 1 to August 14, with booking dates from September 1 to 4. Respondents are 18 years of age or older and will play a significant role in their group's upcoming travel.

Hanoi

Vietnam's cosmopolitan capital, Hanoi, is home to buzzing night markets, narrow trade streets, and Buddhist temples, where a fusion of historic and 21st-century sights create a vibrant atmosphere.

The capital of Vietnam is also considered one of the most dynamic cities in the Asian region full of chic and unique charm. With a rich history and distinctive culture, Vietnam's capital is the ideal fusion of new and old, modern and ancient.

A railway cafe in Hanoi. Photo: Minh Tu

Danang 

The central coastal city of Danang offers sun, sand, and the most amazing seafood.

One of the top seafood destinations recommended by Vietnamese travelers, Danang is known for its Nam O fish salad, which consists of raw sardines soaked in a broth mix and fish sauce, so delicious that many people consider it the "sashimi" of Vietnam.

The Dragon Bridge in Danang City. Photo: tourbana.vn

Vung Tau

About 125 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the city of Vung Tau is located on the Vung Tau Peninsula, a curved point of the letter "S" on the map of Vietnam.

It is famous for its lovely beaches with crystal clear water, white sand under the sun, and a large number of hotels and resorts with fully equipped facilities. Especially Front Beach is considered the most beautiful place to watch the sunset when the sky turns red and the sun seems to melt into the vast sea.

Nha Trang

Blessed with white sandy beaches, remains of an ancient civilization, and some of the most luxurious resorts and hotels in Vietnam, Nha Trang is a popular tourist spot for both domestic and international travelers.

Nha Trang Bay is famous for its diverse marine ecosystem and dense coral reef, which serves as a breeding ground for many species of fish.

Dalat

A French-style villa in Da Lat. Photo: Quynh Tien

Situated on the Lam Vien Plateau, 1,500 meters above sea level in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Da Lat offers a welcoming atmosphere with a refreshingly cool climate. Besides flowers, it is famous for the wide variety of vegetables and fruits harvested from the surrounding farmlands.

There are also countless natural sites with beautiful landscapes, evergreen forests, and ethnic minority villages that are must-see places for travelers visiting the city.

Ho Chi Minh City

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City in the southeast is the economic hub of Vietnam.

In a marriage of tradition and modernity, Ho Chi Minh is the metropolis where pagodas meet skyscrapers and innovative commerce hubs thrive. Elaborate French colonial architecture, including Notre Dame Cathedral, and landmarks such as the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi tunnel network are historical highlights of this fast-paced city.

Mui Ne

The stunning beach in Mui Ne Cape. Photo: Thien Huong

Mui Ne Cape, located 22 kilometers from Phan Thiet City in the southern province of Binh Thuan, is renowned for its pristine beauty of "flying sand dunes". The sand dunes get their name because they can change several times in a day depending on the wind direction, leaving beautiful sand waves or sand prints.

It is considered to be a perfect place for unforgettable travel experiences from a hot air balloon.

As summer approaches, travelers can escape the crowds and see spectacular sights from a different perspective by drifting where the wind takes them.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, located in the northern province of Quang Ninh, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam.

The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles of various shapes and sizes. It is the center of a larger zone that includes Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast and Cat Ba Island to the southwest. These larger zones share similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climatic, and cultural characteristics.

The best way to see Ha Long's awe-inspiring limestone towers is by boat. In fact, many tourists stay overnight on a boat in the bay.

Phu Quoc Island

Located in the southwestern province of Kien Giang, Phu Quoc Island is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Vietnam. Known as Pearl Island, it has been identified as an eco-tourism center for those who love to explore nature.

Part of the larger UNESCO-recognized Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, the island has no shortage of flora and fauna. While more than half of the teardrop-shaped island makes up Phu Quoc National Park, a dense tropical jungle draped around scenic mountains, its many beaches remain the main attraction.

Hoi An

A corner of Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Jenna Duong

Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port, where the popular Hoi An chicken rice (com ga Hoi An), pork rice noodles (cao lau), and white rose dumplings with translucent white skin are served. Travelers looking for a local culinary experience should not miss the famous food trail of Danang - Hue - Hoi An, which is the top endorsed destination for local food.